Preoperative Care and Preparation Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Surgical Technologist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Preoperative Care and Preparation flashcards as text
A patient's preoperative blood pressure reads 188/110 mmHg. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Notify the anesthesia provider and surgeon before proceeding
Severely elevated blood pressure must be reported to the surgical team because it increases anesthetic and intraoperative bleeding risk and may require intervention before surgery.
Which of the following is the correct technique for verifying patient identity in the preoperative area?
Answer: Use two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth, confirmed verbally and with the wristband
Two independent patient identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth) confirmed verbally and matched to the wristband are required per Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
What is the purpose of applying sequential compression devices (SCDs) preoperatively?
Answer: To prevent deep vein thrombosis by promoting venous return
SCDs apply intermittent pneumatic compression to the legs, promoting venous return and reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis during prolonged surgery.
Which preoperative finding would most likely require postponement of an elective surgical procedure?
Answer: A patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.0 mEq/L) increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias during anesthesia and is a common reason to postpone elective surgery.
When setting up the OR for a case involving a patient with a known MRSA infection, what precaution is most important preoperatively?
Answer: Placing the patient in isolation in the preoperative holding area and using contact precautions
Contact precautions—including gown, gloves, and dedicated equipment—are required for MRSA-positive patients to prevent transmission in the perioperative environment.
A patient undergoing thyroid surgery is placed in which specialized position to improve surgical access?
Answer: Supine with neck hyperextended using a shoulder roll
Placing a shoulder roll under the patient's shoulders extends the neck, elevating and exposing the thyroid gland for optimal surgical access.
Which of the following best describes the surgical technologist's responsibility regarding the preoperative count?
Answer: The scrub tech and circulator count together audibly before the procedure begins
The scrub technologist and circulating nurse perform an audible concurrent count of all sponges, sharps, and instruments before the procedure to establish a baseline.